Noach is the perfect parsha for an election week where so many fear the world is falling apart. In Noach’s time, things got so bad even the Almighty preferred to start over rather than take on such a mess. Many Americans wish they, too, could get a do-over as we cross the final stretch of an unusually acrimonious election season.
Yet elections, like Noach, remind us of the power of the individual to make a transformative difference. Many contests, especially on the local level, come down to a small spread, emphasizing the impact of each and every vote. Beyond our votes, we can get involved in the electoral process, getting out the vote or supporting our favorite candidates.
To extend our influence, we can use our power to connect with others and inspire them to share our perspective. Advocacy for the Jewish community and its needs is a priority for the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. Our Federation leaders actively participate in the political process, and in the last year have successfully secured increased security funding for schools and synagogues; renewed and increased funding for numerous social service programs for our seniors, survivors, and needy families; won passage of legislation that not only condemns the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement but also has real teeth and partnered with our legislators to bring positive programs from Israel to our own community.
We also strive to educate our community and the public at large on the impact the elections have on our core concerns. This election season, we have co-sponsored candidate forums for Federal and County elections, creating opportunities to meet and better understand the issues that will impact us both locally and nationally.
In a few days, we will learn the outcome of this most unusual election season. When we find out who will control the White House and administration, and who will control Congress, our next question will be, what does it all mean? Where do new leaders stand on the issues closest to our hearts, including the future of US-Israel relations? And what do the demographics of the election tell us about where America is headed?
To help us answer these and other questions, our Federation is proud to welcome Jeff Mendelsohn on November 16 at Temple Emeth in Teaneck. A Beltway insider and former Congressional Chief of Staff, he has devoted more than a decade to promoting strong US-Israel relations by inspiring diverse groups to promote Israel in Congress and their own communities. Having led dozens of missions to Israel, Mr. Mendelsohn has witnessed over and over the powerful transformation this experience can have. Over years of interacting with leaders of every background, he has found ways that we can all use passionate advocates for Israel.
We are not powerless against the rising tide of nastiness that so many of us reject. Each of us can enact change that is as deep as the ocean Noach navigated. This everyday power is available to all, and if we choose to apply ourselves, we, like Noach, can build a better world.
By Lori Fein
Lori Fein is the Director of the Jewish Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. JCRC’s free public Post-Election Forum “It’s Over. Now What?” with Jeff Mendelsohn will take place on Wednesday, November 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Emeth in Teaneck. Register at jfnnj.org/itsover.
